Law and penalities

On 1 January 1999 benzodiazepines were reclassified as controlled drugs under the third schedule, Class C, Part 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, and are no longer scheduled under the Medicines Regulation Act 1984.

The reclassification of benzodiazepines is part of a global initiative to enforce tighter controls and reducing the amount of these drugs being diverted from legal to illicit markets for use and supply.

The international control of benzodiazepines takes place under the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substance of which New Zealand became a signatory to in 1990.

Medsafe will monitor annual consumption and supply this information to the International Narcotics Control Board. Doctors prescribing benzodiazepines must use a standard prescription form allowing only one month's supply per prescription. Pharmacists do not have to store benzodiazepines in their controlled drug safe, nor are they required to recode dispensing in a controlled drug register.

Penalties for the importation, manufacture or supply of benzodiazepines are up to eight years imprisonment and up to seven years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit an offence. Possession of non-prescribed benzodiazepines can result in up to three months imprisonment or a $500 fine, or both.